Slated for a first quarter of 2016 opening, construction on the Grand Parkway continues to progress.

Just this week, Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders sent out an email stating they had reached a milestone with the 100 percent completion of beams and bridge decks stretching the 38-mile roadway.

The Grand Parkway’s segments F-G will allow for East Montgomery County and surrounding communities to travel to other parts of the county and Houston easier.

“Construction has progressed at a rapid pace since breaking ground in 2013,” Ibette Cavazos, public information for Zachry-Odebrecht said. “One of the most unique aspects of this project has always been its aggressive schedule, and we are excited about the expectation of having the roadway open from end-to-end in early (first quarter) 2016, which for a project of this magnitude and scope is remarkably close to initial project schedule projections."

According to Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders, “a total of 121 bridge decks were poured and 3,802 concrete beams were set.”

The work on the structures began with the first bridge shaft in July 2013 and the final deck pour being completed earlier this month. Bridge structures and beam casting work totaled approximately 1.9 million work hours.

They hit a few snags along the way. The project was initially expected to be wrapped up by the end of 2015.

“The project did encounter setbacks particularly with the heavy rains during the months of May and June,” Cavazos said. “Both Harris and Montgomery counties were included in Presidential and Gubernatorial Disaster Declarations issued for flooding events which began on early May 2015.

“Issues surrounding delays in the targeted opening are currently under discussion between Zachry-Odebrecht and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT.) Any penalties or fines resulting from the project after current discussions would be the responsibility of the contractor.”

Representatives from TxDOT declined to comment, stating they yield any questions or information regarding the Grand Parkway to Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders.

Segments F- G of the Grand Parkway will be a controlled-access parkway with four lanes, two lanes each direction and intermittent frontage roads.

There are still some portions of the road that need to be completed, including the work for Segment G which is concentrated along the Riley Fuzzel corridor where bridgework and paving operations are still needed.